Prepayment-meter.



No, 867,481. PATENTBD OCT. 1, 1907.

P. P. 00X. PREPAYMENT METER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 14. 1897.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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l l w 0 06m" No. 867,481. PATENTED 0013. 1, '1907.

PREPAYMENT METER.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 14. 1m.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I FE- El KeK' UNITED. STATES AEENT OFFICE.

FRAN P. COX, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL EIIECTRIG COMPANY, A-

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

rnErnYrmNr-Mnmn.

-a meter through which, by the insertion of a coin or token in a proper receptacle, a certain'amount of energy may pass, and also to so arrange the meter that the insertion of a number of such coins or tokens either in quick succession or atv quick intervalsbetween the first closing and interrupting of the source of supply will set the working parts of the meter in such relation that the consumer will receive an amount of energy corresponding to thetotal number of coins or tokens thus inserted.

In the accompanying drawings, attached to and made a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of myimproved meter adapted for use on electric circuits; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section, of the means employed to set the parts in their proper relation upon the insertion of a coin or token; Fig. 3 isa'plan view of the same; Fig. 4 is a detail of construction; and Fig. 5 is a diagram of the meter connections.

I have shown my invention applied to the well-,

known Thomson recording watt meter, in which A represents the fine wire wound armature mounted on shaft B, and adapted to revolve in the field of the coarse wire coils C.

Mounted on the lower extremity of the armature shaft is a disk D made of good conducting material and revolving within the influence of the damping magnets E, to damp the rotation of the armature.

Supported by the upper portion of frame F is a fixed dial H having divisions thereon numbered from one to ten. Secured to the upper part of the dial-plate isthe mechanism employed for closing the circuit of the meter and adjusting the recording mechanism. A flat sliding piece or actuator G (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is provided, having an upturned end forming a handle; on the inner end of the sliding piece is a pin Gengaging with the switch arm I to close both the meter and load circuits. The switch arm I is pivoted on an extension of the frame and engages with fixed contacts I and I To hold theswitch arm closed against the opening spring J, a spring catch K is employed normally occupying the position shown in the figures but adapted to,

be pulled down and out of engagement with the switch by the core K when the shunt wound solenoid K is energized.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July it, 1897. Serial No- 644,553.

Patented Oct. 1, 1907.

Extending parallel with the sliding piece G is an actuator L mounted for reciprocating movement, and having at its outer end a fork L engaging with a pin M which is carried by the arms M. The arms M are loosely mounted-uponsleeve M which surrounds the.

shaft- N, and carry at their outer ends a cam' M mounted forengagement with the periphery of the disk M the latter being rigidly secured to the sleeve. A flat spring M 'carried by the arms'is employed to force the cam into engagement with the disk.. When the arms and cam are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the cam is raised from the disk by pin M so that no extra friction is interposed to affect the operation of the meter.

On the upper end of the armature shaft B is a worm engaging with worm wheel N rigidly secured to shaft N, the latter being supported in suitable hearings in the front and rear plates of the dial. A friction device or'slitjoi'nt N consisting of a hub and four spring arms is also rigidly secured to the shaft N and is adapted to engage with the friction disk M", carried by the sleeve M.

On the front end of the sleeve M is a pinion O meshing with gear 0 the latter is mounted on'the shaft 0 which carries the hand 0 situated in front of the meter dial. In addition, the shaft 0 carries a contact device 0 adapted to close and open the c'ircuitbetween contacts O and 0. On account of the friction coupling betweenthe armature shaft and the hand 0 it is posible to adjust the position of the hand-with respect to the dial, independent of any movement of the meter armature; the object of which will be hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 5, the meter connections will be described; a and I: represent the supply mains, and- 0. b the work circuit. The load on the work circuit is indicated by lamps 0, but it may consist of motors or any other electrical devices. The field coils C are in series with main 0, a ,'an d the armature A is connected in series with a non-inductive resistance R and starting coilsS, across the a b". The main b, b enters the meter and is provided with stationary contacts I, I and mounted for engagement with these contacts is the switch lever I which closes the circuit through the meter and alsothatof the consumer. Connected to the main a is a wire d extending to the fixed contact 0 extending from main 6, the opposite side of the circuit, is a wire 0, connectedto stationary contact 0 and included in circuit therewith is the ill interrupting the circuit to both meter and consumer. By this arrangement the meter is'on the consumers side of the circuit when the supply circuit isinterrupted, and the armature circuit of the meter is interrupted, thereby relieving the fine wire coils from all electrical strain. Y

When a consumer desires to receive energy, a coin or token l is placed in position on the sliding piece G and the handle manually moved to the right; this causes thetoken P to strike against the piece L on'the actuator L and move it to the right. The fork L on the outer end of the actuator advances the arms M and, by means of cam M engaging with the outer periphery of disk M the disk is advanced a certain number of degrees. The disk and pinion 0 being rigidly con nected, motion is imparted to shaft 0 by means of gear 0 which meshes with pinion 0. As the shaftis advanced contact O is moved away from the stationary ;contacts O 0, and the magnet circuit is interrupted;

by the same movement hand 0 on the front of the dial is moved away from zero. Simultaneously with the adjusting of the'hand with respect to the dial, the

'circuit is closed by switch lever I, which is actuated by the pin G carried by the sliding piece G. As soon as the pressure is relieved on the sliding piece G, it assumes its normal position under the action of spring I As soon as the switch is closed the catch K retains it in position until the prepaid amount of energy has been consumed and the contact 0* returned to the 'point where it bridges the stationary 'contacts'O '0, and a circuit is established through the magnet coil, which attracts the core K and'pulls down the catch, releasing the switch and allowing it to open under the action of the spring I. The switch in opening also interrupts the continuity-of thecircuit ofthe magnet K The worm on the upper end of thearmature shaft meshing with worm wheel N prevents the wheel from =turning when the actuator'is moved, and to provide for this movement of the hand independent of the armature'thefriction coupling'N is employed. After a coin is'inserted in the meter and the sliding piece-G actuated, the meter operates as an ordinary watt meter, and by inspection of the dial the consumer can at any time tell the amount oi energy remaining to his credit,

Assuming that the consumer'desires to pay for an amount of energy greater than that obtained by a single coin or token, a numberoi such coins or tokens can successively be placed in position and the sliding piece 'G actuated as before. Each time the piece'G is actuatedit will cause the hand 0 to advance one division of the dial, but as the switch was closed at-thefirst operation it will haveno further effect thereon. As the energy isconsumed by the burning of lights 0 the armature A revolves within the field coils and the worm on" the upper end of the armature shaft transmit motion to the'worm 'vl'rheel'N and the shaft N. The

friction between arms N and disk M is sufiicient to cause a rotation ofthe sleeveilii and'by* means of gears O-and'G -the hand, and the contact 0. The'hand, which was originally'set at division 1-2, .etc., now

moves toward zero, and when the prepaid amount of energy has been consumed, the contact 0 will close '-the-'magnet-circuit and the switch I will be'released interrupting the meter and consumers circuit.

WhatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is,

1. In a coin-controlled electric meter mechanism, the combination of a motor mcclninism driven by the current in the consumption circuit, and comprising course and line wire windings, a switch for closing the circuit of llic coarse and fine windings and also the consumption circuil. coin-controlled meuns regulating the operation of the switch, and a magnet cpntroilcd by the meter mechanism for causing the interruption of all of the said circuils including its own after a prepaid amount of energy has been consumed.

2. In a prepayment electric meter, the combination of an armature and field-magnet coil each in u separate circuit and acting together to register the consulnpiion of energy in the circuit, a manually-actuated switch for clusing the circuit of the consumcrnnd also that oi the urmuture and field-magnet coil. a magnet controlled by the meter mechanism for uutomuticully opening all of suid circuits including its own, and leaving the meter on lhc consumption side of the circuit, and a coin-controlled dc vice which regulates the closing of the switch.

3. In a prepayment electric meter system, the combina tion of a meter mechanism responsive to tho energy consumed in the circuit of the consumer, :i nnlnuully-nciuulcd device controlled by the insertion of n. coin in the inclcr for closing the circuit of the meter and also of the consumer, and automatic means controlled by lbe mcicr mechanism, for interrupting the circuit of both meter and con sumel', the said means remaining inoperative after so (ll) ing until the circuit is again closed after depositing a coin.

4. In a prepayment meter, the combination of :1 sliding piece adapted to be operated by an exterior bundle upon the insertion of a coin or token, means operated by the sliding piece to permit the supply to the meter, 21- slccvc udapted'to be rotated in one direction when the sliding piece is operated, and in the opposite direction by a movement of the meter mechanism, and means operated by the sleeve to close an electrical circuit when the sleeve returns to'its normal position, and thereby out 01f the supply until a coin or token is again inserted in the meter.

5. In a prepayment electric meter, the combination with the meter mechanism, of a main circuit and :1 derived local circuit, a coin-controlled device adopted on the insertion of a coin to separate two contacts in a local circuit a certuin distance and simultaneously close the supply circuit through the meter, means operated by the meter mecbnnism for moving one of the contacts to establish -electrical connection between them, and means operated by the local circuit to cut 01f further supply to the meter.

6. In a prepayment electric meter, the combination with a meter mechanism having a main circuit and a local circult derived therefrom, of a contact device in the main circuit, a contact device in the local circuit, mununlly 0p erated devices controlled by the insertion of a 'coin or token to simultaneously close the main circuit and break the local circuit, means operated by the working of the meter mechanism to close the local circuit, and menus operated by the local circuit when closed to break the main circuit.

7. In a prepayment electric meter, the combination of a meter mechanism having a main circuit and a local circuit derived therefrom, with a switch in the main circuit normally open, a detent normally held in position to engage with the switch and hold it in its closed position, 11 contact device adapted to close the local circuit, manually actuated devices adapted on the insertion of a coin or token to simultaneously close the main circuit and break the local circuit, means operated by the working of the meter mechanism for closing the local clrcult,-and a magnet in the local circuit adapted upon the closing of the circuit to disengage the detent from the main circuit switch.

8. In a prepayment meter mechanism, the combination of a circuit, means responsive to the current [lowing in the circuit for indicating the consumption of energy, a switch arranged to be manually closed, a coin controlled slide which engages wlththe switch and closes it, means for insuring a quick openingot the switch, and a magnet conlOl Ill

trolled by the meter mechanism for releasing the switch, the circuit of the magnet being interrupted at the time the switch opens.

9. In a prepayment meter mechanism, the combination of a reciprocating coin slide, an armature, a registry train, a worm between the armature and the train, an indicating pointer. having a slip joint with the armature and moved by the slide, and a magnet controlled by the pointer for opening the circuit. I I

10. In a prepayment meter, the combination of a vertical shaft, a worm thereon, a register train geared to the shaft through a slip'joint, a coin controlled slide for advancing one portion 01! the train while the remainder is stationary, and a contact driven by the vertical shaft for closing an electric circuit.-

11. In a prepayment mechanism, thecombination of a reciprocating coin slide, an actuator extending parallel therewith, a forked arm carried by the actuator, and a pointer which is adjusted by the arm.

12. In combination, anelectric circuit, translating devices located therein, means for connectingsaid circuit to a source of energy said means comprising a switch, a meter for measuring the electric consumption in said circuit, a latch for holding said switch closed, electro-magnetic means for rendering said latch inoperative, compris ing a circuit energized from said source and a switch controlling said circuit, coin-controlled means for closing the first switch, and means operated by the meter upon a predetermined consumption for closing thesecond switch.

13. In combination, an electric circuit, translating devices located therein, means Ior connecting said circuit to a source of energy, said means comprising a switch, a motor meter for measuring the electric consumption in said circuit, a latch for holding said switch closed, electromagnetic means'for rendering said latch inoperative, comprising a circuit energized from said source and a switch controlling said circuit, an operating handle by which upon the insertion of a coin the first switch can be closed 7 and the second opened, and means operated by the meter upon a predetermined consumption for closing the second switch.

14. In combination, a source 01' current supply, a consum'ption circuit, a meter for measuring the consumption in said consumption circuit, a. switch for connecting said consumption circuit to said source, a local circuit de rived from the said consumption circuit for controlling the opening of said switch, and coin controlled means for sisaid magnet and said switch so that when the consumptioncircult is opened the local circuit is also opened, and a coin controlled means for closing said switch.

16. In a prepayment electric meter, the combination with a meter mechanism of a switch in the main circuit of the meter, manuallypperated means controlled by the insertion of a coin or token to close said switch, an'electromagnet controlling the opening of said switch, and contacts controlling said magnet and controlled jointly by said manually-operated means and by the' meter mechanism. 1

In witness whereot I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of July, 1897.

FRANK I. COX.

Witnesses:

Joan-W. GIBBONEY, HENRY 0. Was'rnnnm. 

